Creative Australia invests $1.6 million in in ambitious new commissions for leading Australian artists

Creative Australia has announced the latest recipients of its Visual Arts, Craft and Design Framework Major Commissioning Projects, supporting 16 artists and collectives across Australia to deliver ambitious new projects.

Among the recipients is Khaled Sabsabi, who will create a major new presentation at Samstag Museum of Art. The new commission will offer Australian audiences the opportunity to experience a major new body of work from the highly acclaimed artist, following his international presentation at the Venice Biennale.

Other highlights include Dr Baden Pailthorpe who is collaborating with AFL star Adam Goodes on a major new commission exploring sport, identity and cultural history.

Shannon Lyons, presenting a mid-career survey exhibition at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts that highlights her experimental and site-responsive practice.

These commissions join a strong field of projects spanning painting, sculpture, craft, performance and multimedia installation, showcasing the breadth and vitality of Australian visual arts practice.

Head of Visual Arts at Creative Australia, Michelle Newton, said:

“This program enables Australian artists to deliver major projects of scale and ambition, while creating opportunities for national and international presentation, The artists announced today exemplify the strength, diversity and global reach of Australian visual arts.”

The 2025 Major Commissioning Projects include major new presentations at leading institutions, including:

Dr Baden Pailthorpe & Adam Goodes (National Portrait Gallery, ACT)

Jean Barth (New York, details to be announced)

Gordon Hookey (Moderna Museet, Stockholm)

Shannon Lyons (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts)

Mel O’Callaghan (Sydney Opera House)

Sara Morawetz (Contemporary Art Tasmania)

Khaled Sabsabi (Samstag Museum of Art, SA)

Naina Sen with Naveed Farro and Harrison Hall (Adelaide Film Festival Expand Lab Moving Image Commission and Northern Centre for Contemporary Art)

The commissions also support significant new projects and collaborations from artists including:

Vernon Ah Kee and Hoda Afshar

Dr Peta Clancy

Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM

James Nguyen

Emily Parsons-Lord

Izabela Pluta, co-commissioned by The Lock-Up (Newcastle) and an international partner

Erin Dickson

Jakub Dorabialski

Delivered annually, the Major Commissioning Projects are part of the Visual Arts, Craft and Design Framework, a nationally coordinated investment partnership with states and territories to support the Australian contemporary visual art, craft and design sector.

Applications are peer assessed against published criteria of quality, viability and impact.

  • Related Posts

    Sanct Social releases Episode 8 and a step-by-step look at the five features it shows, from a sleep alarm to friend categories

    Sanct Social, a social app for family and close friends that is a free download on the App Store in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore and nine more countries, released the…

    Continue reading
    ‘Berani Tegur, Berani Bertindak’ Anti-Bullying Campaign Reaches More Than 51,000 Students Across 40 Schools

    The campaign reached more than 51,000 students and 4,000 teachers from 40 schools through a School Roadshow, Creative Video Competition, and Social Media Awareness Contest. SK Lanchang, Pahang and SMK…

    Continue reading

    You Missed

    Sanct Social releases Episode 8 and a step-by-step look at the five features it shows, from a sleep alarm to friend categories

    Sanct Social releases Episode 8 and a step-by-step look at the five features it shows, from a sleep alarm to friend categories

    ‘Berani Tegur, Berani Bertindak’ Anti-Bullying Campaign Reaches More Than 51,000 Students Across 40 Schools

    ‘Berani Tegur, Berani Bertindak’ Anti-Bullying Campaign Reaches More Than 51,000 Students Across 40 Schools

    INCHEM TOKYO 2027, Japan’s Largest Chemical and Plant Engineering Exhibition, Opens Applications to International Exhibitors

    INCHEM TOKYO 2027, Japan’s Largest Chemical and Plant Engineering Exhibition, Opens Applications to International Exhibitors

    Labuan IBFC Strengthens Malaysia’s Role as Asia’s Gateway for Cross-Border Business and Finance

    Labuan IBFC Strengthens Malaysia's Role as Asia's Gateway for Cross-Border Business and Finance

    Trainocate Malaysia Launches AI Training Roadmap 2026, a 7-Level Framework to Close the Enterprise AI Skills Gap

    Trainocate Malaysia Launches AI Training Roadmap 2026, a 7-Level Framework to Close the Enterprise AI Skills Gap

    Taiwan’s JUBILEE Biomedical Wins France’s COSMETIC 360 Innovation Award, Bringing Cold Plasma Skincare Innovation to Malaysia

    Taiwan’s JUBILEE Biomedical Wins France’s COSMETIC 360 Innovation Award, Bringing Cold Plasma Skincare Innovation to Malaysia